The master list of self teaching java
MOD's Consider sticky :)
The Big Picture Method to Learning Java
by Chuck Kelly
Despite popular belief ANYONE CAN LEARN JAVA...take it from me, a Left handed Creative ADHD College athlete, that if i can do it i assure you, you can.Its all about the resources.For 3 weeks i have had an incredibly difficult time learning java, not because its hard but, because i dint have the resources i needed, i would say about half of the 3 weeks was searching for the right stuff for the stage of learning i was in . If i can prevent anyone from going through the goose hunt i did , then posting this is worthwhile.
Anything is possible in today's world .Dont forget it.
What should i start developing on?
I suggest Dr. Java if your just starting out. Its a very light IDE that prevents early confusion. Netbeans and Eclipse are undoubtably better programs but, theres to much , to early if your just starting...something that almost scared me off early on.
Step 1. The Big Picture- Lesson: Object-Oriented Programming Concepts (The Java™ Tutorials > Learning the Java Language)
If your anything like me, its very difficult to listen to someone say , do this , do that ....compile and theres ur program at least from the start. It is important to understand the Big picture of what java is all about. I knew exactly what i was looking for but , no one could explain it in analogys like i wanted .Sun dose a good job of this in this link .HIGHLY RECOMMEND readying through this whole section . If you like the way these explanations are written you can press Trails and theirs a bunch more that goes into specifics .
What should you get out of this step?
A very general understanding of how Java operates. The idea is that if it makes sense in your head when your learning why your learning specifics then you will know what to zero in on. Why your doing what your doing and if you dont be able to know where to go to find out .
Step 2. Explanations/ Examples-
http://www.cs.princeton.edu/introcs/home/
Why this intro to programming course vs. Suns and the other 500 on google? Because i think its important to get a good mix of explanation with examples you can play with. Suns tuts have examples but, there sometimes few and far between.
Best Cheat Sheet-Standard Libraries
The Best Cheat Sheet i have found so far, i suggest printing the pics and putting them somewhere u see every day if u really are dedicated to learning java.
I will finish this in the next few days , i just wanted to give anyone who comes along a definite starting point so as not to overwhelm.
But, i will say that it is important to get your knowledge in any subject from alot of different directions. Dont stay on any one site 2 long it will all blend together and ull get bored, keep it interesting ...sick of tuts . Do a youtube search for someone talking about java ,Go to the Javabat link below and do some practice problems or go on a forum ask a question u might think you know to reconfirm and get a second opinion. Good question asking is one of the biggest things with learning ANYTHING. :D
